Chevron Corp. has launched Project Brightfield, a demonstration of next-generation solar energy technologies, in Bakersfield, Calif. The project, created on the site of a former Chevron refinery, will evaluate seven emerging photovoltaic technologies to help determine the potential application of renewable power at other company-owned facilities, the company says.
The former refinery site has been repurposed to test the performance of six emerging thin-film technologies and one emerging crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic technology, which were provided by independent solar companies. The 7,700 solar panels on the eight-acre site will generate approximately 740 kW of electricity. The power will be directed to the local utility grid, as well as to Chevron's oil-production operations at the Kern River Field.
Abound Solar, MiaSole, Schuco, Solar Frontier, Sharp and Solibro are demonstrating thin-film technologies at the site. Innovalight is testing c-Si technology. Each company can access data about its technology, find out how well it performs in various conditions and compare it against a benchmark solar technology – a brand of commercially available solar photovoltaic technology – that has also been installed on the site.
SOURCE: Chevron Corp.
